It’s pothole season in Toronto, which means it’s also pothole-filling season.
The first pothole-filling “blitz” on April 2 resulted in 6,500 potholes being filled, according to a spokesperson for the city. Approximately 120 staff were involved in the first blitz, working a 12-hour day to get the job done.
Toronto Media Relations spokesperson Marcela Mayo shared the city’s plans for road repairs.
“City staff perform daily, proactive patrols to fix potholes in all areas of the city, including East York,” Mayo said in an email to the Observer.
“The City Council-approved budget for pothole repairs in 2022 is $4.4 million for an estimate of 175,000 pothole repairs across the city.”
Small potholes can cause big damage
According to a press release from the city of Toronto, more than 50,000 potholes have been fixed this year with the city’s exact total being 59,605 at time of reporting.
“If you see city crews at work on our roads, please be respectful and give them the space they need to get the repairs done safely,” Mayor John Tory said in the release.
Some Torontonians are concerned with the quality of repairs. They have taken to social media to make themselves heard.
In 2021, Eglinton Avenue East was voted Toronto’s worst road according to a poll done by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).
Potholes have caused thousands of dollars in damages to vehicles in the city, whether it’s flat tires or suspension damage. According to the Consumer Insurance Report, suspension repairs can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. CAA has tips for minimizing pothole damage to your vehicle available on their website.
“I was driving once and I hit a pothole so bad it ruined my suspension. It cost me $1,800 to fix,” local Vito Moretti said. “I called 311 three days ago to tell them about the pothole and I still see it on my drive.”
According to an article from the CAA, potholes are created by moisture and changing weather, which crack the surface of the road. Canadian winters are the culprit responsible for bad road conditions.
Drivers can minimize the damage to their car by reducing their speed, releasing the brakes before impact, and keeping their wheels straight.
With the implementation of the pothole blitz, Toronto residents can either call 311 or use the 311 app to report any potholes they see.